The 5 K's

The 5 K's - Symbol of Khalsa - the brotherhood of Sikhs

Sikhs who have made a public commitment to the faith by
going through a special baptism, known as the Amrit Ceremony, are called
members of the Khalsa (the community of baptised Sikhs). They
adopt five symbols. These symbols (the Five K’s) are not only a means of
showing the Sikh identity, but they also have spiritual meanings and are powerful symbols of the faith. Most Sikhs, through custom
and culture, follow the traditions of the Khalsa.

The Five Ks are the five items of dress and physical
appearance (a sort of uniform) given to Sikhs by Guru Gobind Singh
when he gathered together the first members of the Khalsa on Baisakhi day in
1699. Gobind Singh was the tenth Sikh guru or spiritual teacher.

Kesh - uncut hair and beard, as given by God, to
sustain him or her in higher consciousness; and a turban, the crown of
spirituality.
Kangha - a wooden comb to properly
groom the hair as a symbol of cleanliness.

Katchera -
specially made cotton underwear as a reminder of the commitment to purity.

Kara - a steel
circle, worn on the wrist, signifying bondage to Truth and freedom from
every other entanglement.

Kirpan - the sword, with which the Khalsa is
committed to righteously defend the fine line of the Truth.

Khalsa also vows to refrain from any sexual
relationships outside of marriage, and to refrain from taking meat, tobacco,
alcohol, and all other intoxicants.

Kara

The Kara is a bangle, usually made from iron or steel and worn
on the right wrist. The steel is a symbol of strength, and the circular shape is
a symbol of unity and eternity - a circle has no beginning and no end. This
reflects the Sikh view of God who is eternal and infinite. The circular
shape also stands for unity between Sikhs and between Sikhs and God.

Kangha

The kangha is a wooden comb which is used to keep the hair
clean and tidy. Cleanliness was one of the things emphasised by Guru Gobind
Singh when he formed the Khalsa. Sikhs wash their hair very early every morning,
then comb it, and wind it into a topknot. The kangha is placed in the topknot
which is then covered with a turban. The Kangha represents discipline in
all aspects of life.

Kachera

Kachera are short trousers which now are usually worn as
undergarments. Guru Gobind Singh told Sikhs to wear short trousers as part of
the Khalsa uniform. Some explanations say that this was to distinguish Sikhs
from Hindus who traditionally wore dhoti (a long loin cloth). Other explanations
offered include the idea that the short trousers made it easier for Sikhs to
move in battle. This explanation may be offensive to Sikhs who do not wish to be
seen as a violent or aggressive community. For most Sikhs the Kachera are a
symbol of modesty.

Kirpan

The kirpan is a sword worn by initiated (Khalsa) Sikhs. The
Sikh community does not like the kirpan to be referred to either as a dagger or
as a knife as both of these terms suggest violence and an intent to cause
injury. The kirpan (sword) is worn as a reminder of the courage of the first
five Sikhs who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their
religion. The kirpan is therefore a symbol of bravery and of faith in God. There
was a time, however, when Sikhs were persecuted and had to be ready to defend
not only themselves, but their faith. The kirpan is worn as a symbol of the Sikh
being willing to defend his or her faith, or to defend the weak or oppressed.
For many, the most important meaning is that the kirpan symbolises the
commitment to fight ‘the enemy within’, that is weaknesses in one’s own
character and behaviour.

Kesh

Kesh is uncut hair. Traditionally, Sikhs do not cut their hair
and male Sikhs should not cut their beards. This ‘natural state’
symbolises devotion to God. Some Sikhs believe that the beard should be
allowed to grow freely, while others use a beard net to keep it out of the way.
Guru Gobind Singh encouraged Sikhs not to cut their hair, which should be
allowed to grow ‘as God intended’. In practise, some British Sikhs find
this tradition fairly difficult to keep and so do not adopt this particular
symbol. They may still wear the turban on religious occasions.